Railway truck



June 22, 1937. D. l.. TowNsL-:ND

RAILWAY TRUCK Filed July A725, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet l `June 22, 1937. D. l.. TowNsEND 2,084,542

RAILWAY TRUCK Filed Juy 25, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z 4 W W Ja/ L J4 ff-??? Eff-11;:- a g5-J4?- l 34 10a j: j 9a Jaa l $15" l J7 a lllllll/ IM/vento@ l .20A/m01. ZW/vSf/VD 'I if 1| 1 JUDZZ, 1937. D. 1 TOWNSEND Y 2,084,542

RAILWAY TRUCK Filed July 25, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented June 22, 1937 RAILWAY TRUCK Donald L. Townsend, Rochester, N.- Y., assignor to The Symington-Gonld Corporation, Rochester, N. Y., a corporation of Maryland Application July z5, 1933, semi No. 682,122

18 Claims.

rI'his invention relates to railway trucks and, ,more particularly, to ne'sts of springs for supporting truck bolsters, and the spring plates for said nests.

The principal object of my invention, generally considered, is the provision of railway trucks in which the bolsters are supported from associated side frames by means of nests of springs involving leaf or elliptic springs associated with helical springs and employing improved spring plates for holding the springs of the nests in proper relation with respect to one another and the associated frames,- said plates being particularly adapted to more positively retain the bands of the elliptic springs in normal position. y

Another object of my invention is the provision of spring plates, for bolster springs involving banded leaf or elliptic springs, provided with means for surrounding and engaging ,the bands of said springs, said means being higher at the ends of said bands beyond the leaves and extending across the outermost leaves at a height not 'greater than the thickness of the bands.

A further object of my invention is the provision of spring caps, or members adapted to engage the upper and/or lower surfaces of asso- 'wciated spring nests, comprising means on the inner surfaces thereof for engaging the bands of elliptic or leaf springs, said means merging into a V-shaped wall which serves to separate associated coil or helical springs. e

A still further object of my invention is the provision of means for engaging the upper and lower surfaces of associated leaf and helical springs, which means are provided with portions extending toward one another and including par tial engagement with the associated bands, be-

yond the leaves of said springs, higher than the leaves would permit for the full periphery, that is, the engagement of the bands alongside of the outer leaves of said springs.

Other objects and advantages of the invention relating to the particular arrangement and constructionvof the various parts will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings illustrating my invention, the scope whereof is defined by the appended claims:-

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a railway truck embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a plan of one of the spring engaging plates or caps shown in Figure 1.

y Figure 3 is a 'transverse sectional view on the line 3--3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction of the arrows, the associated spring plank being diagrammatically illustrated in dot-dash lines.

Figure 4 is a partial end elevational and par- -tial sectional view on the line 4-4 of Figure 2,

looking in the direction of the arrows.

5 Figures 5, 6 and 7 are fragmentary sectional views on the correspondingly numbered lines of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken transversely through the side frame of a truck and showing another embodiment of my invention.

Figure 9 is a plan of one of the spring plates or caps shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view on the line I 0-I0 of Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows, an associated shim being illustrated in place and the associated spring plank being diagrammatically shown in dot-dash lines.

Figure 11 is a partial en d elevational view and partial vertical sectional view on the line II--ll of Figure 9, looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing a shim associated with a spring plate.

Figures 12, 13, 14 and 15 are fragmentary sectional views on the correspondingly numbered lines of Figure Vil.

Flgu-e 16 is a plan corresponding to Figure 9, but showing another embodiment of my invention.

Figure 17 is a partial elevational view and parl tial sectional view on the line il--li of Figure i6, looking in .the direction of the arrows, the associated spring plank being diagrammatically illustrated in dot-dash lines.

Figure 18 is a partial elevational view and partial sectional view on the line I8|8 of Figure 16, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figures 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 are fragmentary sectional views on the correspondingly numbered lines of Figure 16.

Referring to the drawings in detail, like parts being designated byvlike reference characters, and first considering the embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 7, inclusive, there is shown a portion of a railway truck I involving a pair of side frames 2, only one of which is illustrated, receiving the ends of a bolster 3, only one end of which is illustrated. The bolster 3 extends into the window openings l of the frames 2, each window opening being defined by the compression member 5, the tension member 8, and the bolster guide columns 1. Supported at each end on a tension' membervof a frame beneath the window openings 4, in the present embodiment, is a spring plank 8 between which and the bolster 3 is a nest of springs 9 disposed adjacent each enl of the associated plank and bolster in the corresponding window opening.

In the present embodiment, each nest of springs 9 comprises a pair of helical or coil springs Ill and an elliptic or banded leaf spring II. Each spring I I preferably comprises a stack or seriesl lower spring caps or plates I5 and I6, said plates being formed to surround or partially house the spring bands as well as elevating the coil springs or providing seats for saidvcoil springs higher or closer ,to one another than the seats for the elliptic spring bands, thereby avoiding the overstressing of the leaves of said elliptic spring, or to allow for a greater travel of said spring than would otherwise be permissible.

The plates or caps I5 and IS, which are desirably identical in construction, each comprise a main supporting web Il, the spring band engaging surface of which is desirably concave, as shown in Fig. 5, to conform with or avoid unstable engagement with. said bands at the centers only, and provide surfaces of greater load transmitting areas. Said'plates are each desirably provided with outstanding, preferably conical, lugs I8 adapted for positioning in corresponding receptacles or pockets 39 and 4I! in the bolster 3 or spring plank 8, or, if the spring plank is not employed, in the tension member 6 of the frame 2. Each web I 'I desirably has a curved peripheral flange portion 38 which, on the upper plate I5, is depending, and on the lower plate I6, is upstanding, as will be understood, said flange portion serving to properly position the helical springs 9, as supplemented bythe fragmentary curved portion I3 which is ogee shape, and the V-shaped portion 20 which serves to partially house and properly position the corresponding band of the associated elliptic spring Il.

The rectangular band positioning flange 2l comprises straight side portions 22, which correspond in height with the thickness of the band and extend distances corresponding with the width of the leaf springs or spring leaves of said elliptic spring II. Said straight portions 22 have their ends joined by 'portions 23 which are considerably higher, an increase, for example., corresponding approximately with the thickness of a spring leaf, than the portions 22, in the present embodiment, approximately double the height of the portions 22, as they may be on account of being beyond the sides of the leaves of said elliptic spring II. Said higher portions 23 comprise angular portions 213 of maximum height, which are adapted to engage the corner portions of the associated band, and the adjacent sides of the outer spring leaf, the outer ones of which are joined by intermediate portions 25 whose height may be slightly less as shown. The inner corner portions 24 have the adjacent ends merging into the ends of the il-shaped cellspacing portion 20, as shown most clearly in Figure 2. The curved peripheral portions 38 desirably merge at their adjacent ends into the corresponding end portions of the inner corner pieces 24. Each plate is desirably reinforced in the angle between the side portions 2i and the adjacent portions of the curved peripheral ilanges 38 by means of generally triangular portions 26 having outwardly concave beaded edges 2l and merging smoothly into the outline of the web portion I'I. In order to slightly decrease the weight of the plates and provide clearance with respect to embossments on the spring plank, each plate is desirably provided with apertures 28 concentric with the coil springs II) and downwardly opening annular pockets 29 concentric with said apertures, said pockets corresponding with the insetting of the coil supporting surfaces as compared with the band supporting surfaces. The edges of the webs I'I are desirably curved, as indicated at 30, to correspondwith the curvature adjacent the flanges of the spring plank 8.

Referring now to the embodiment of-my invention illustrated in Figures 8 to 15, inclusive, a portion of a truck Itt is illustrated comprising side frames 2a, only one of which is shown, receiving the ends of a bolster 3e in Window openings 4a, as in the preceding embodiment. In the present embodiment, the sprin plank 3E rests on the tension member 6E of the frame 2B and, in turn, supports notv only the lower spring plate or tcap I6, but also a wood iiller 3| to provide for adjustment of the height of the associated nest of springs 9a. As in the preceding embodiment, a pair'of helical springs I Ila are employed associated with an elliptic spring I IEL or sets of spring leaves or plates held together by bands I 3a and with their ends separated by end blocks Ma. Resting on the top of the nest of springs Ila is not only the upper cap or plate ISa, but also the lower member 32 of a lateral motion device involving rollers 33 supportingly engaging the associated bolster 3.

As in the preceding embodiment, I hold the elliptic and coil springs in proper position lby forming the caps or plates IEa and I6 so as to surround or partially house the spring bands and center the coil springs, said plates being also desirably provided with seats for said coil springs higher or closer to one another than the seats for the elliptic spring bands in order to avoid over-stressing the leaves of said elliptic spring.

The plates or caps I5 and I68L are desirably identical in construction, and each comprises a main supporting web I'Ia provided with outstanding preferably conical plate positioning lugs |88 which t in corresponding receptacles or pockets 39 in the lateral motion plates 32 and 4I)a in the shim or ller 3l, or in the plank 3a or tension member 58, if the filler or filler and plank are not used. Each web I'Ia is desirably somewhat smaller in area than the web II of the preceding ,embodiment so as to adapt the upper plate I5 for reception in the lower lateral motion element 32. The colt-receiving portions of the plate, therefore, omit the peripheral centering fianges for the coil springs and employ instead interior spring centering annular lugs 38 around Which the helical springs Iii1 t for centering purposes. These lugs 38a are supplemented by a V-shaped portion 2da on each plate which merges into the rectangular or box-shaped portion 2i which serves to partially house and properly position the corresponding band of the associated elliptic spring I le.

The rectangular band positioning flange 2la comprises straight side portions 22 which desirably correspond in height with the thickness of the band and extend distances corresponding with the width of the leaves or plates of said elliptic spring II". Said straight portions 22 have their ends joined by portions 23 which are considerably higher than the portions 22, which is lpermissible on account of these portions 23a being beyond the sides of the leaves of said elliptic spring II, Said higher portions 23a comprise angular portions 24 which are adapted to engage the corner portions of the bands, the outer corner portions, in the present embodiment, being joined by straight intermediate portions 25n of the same height, and the corner portions adjacent the helical springs being joined by the V-shaped portions 20, as shown most clearly in Figure 9. The angular portions 24 at the ends of the V-shaped portions 208L are desirably joined to the edges of the web I1 by generally triangular ribs 34 which taper to finally merge into the web II adjacent the periphery thereof.

Each plate I5 and i6* is desirably reinforced in the angle between the side portions 2Ia and the adjacent portions which support the coil springs by means of generally triangular portions 26* having outwardly concave beaded edge portions 21 and merging smoothly' into the outline of the web portion I'I. In order to slightly decrease the weight of the plates, each is desirably apertured, as indicated at 28", concentric with the annular bosses 38a and formed with downwardly opening annular pockets 29a corresponding with the insetting of the coil-supporting surfaces as compared with the band-supporting surfaces. The edges of each web I'Ia are desirably vertically curved, as indicated at 30, to correspondv with the curvature adjacent the flanges of the spring plank 8".

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention ilustrated in Figures 16 to 23, inclusive, there is shown a spring plate or cap I5b which may be employed like the plates or caps I5, I6, I5a and I6* of the preceding embodiments, except that caps such as disclosed in the present embodiment are desirably employed above and below nests of helical and elliptic springs of greater capacity than those of the preceding embodiments. On account of this, and in order to avoid materially increasing the area covered by the plate or cap I5b as compared with those of the preceding embodiments, said plate I5, While provided with positioning lugs lab, as in the preceding embodiments, has inner annular spring centering bosses or lugs 38h, which are depending when used above the nest of springs, and upstanding when used below the nest of springs, as will be understood, said portions :i8b serving to properly position the helical springs, as in the preceding embodiment, and being supplemented by the V-shaped portion 2lib which merges into the generally rectangular portion 2Ib which serves to partially house and properly position the corresponding band of an associated elliptic spring (not shown).

The rectangular band positioning flange 2lb comprises straight side portions 22b which correspond in height with the thickness of the band and extend distances corresponding with the width of the leaves of the associated elliptic spring. The straight side portions 22 have their inner end portions joined by angular corner portions 23b which are considerably higher than the portions 22b and into which the V-shaped coil separating portions 2Gb merge at their ends. The outer lends of the side portions 22h terminate in portions 25b at right angles thereto and extending outwardly therefrom. Said portions 25b are considerably higher than the portions 22b and are adapted to lie alongside of the adjacent spring plate or leaf for spring positioning purposes, as in the preceding embodiment, the portions 25b not being, joined to one another in vorder not to interfere with the associated band which extends between said portions, as will be understood.

Each plate I5b is desirably reinforced in the angle between the side portions 2lb, the adjacent portions which support or engage the coil springs, and the angular portions 25D, by generally triangular portions 2lib and 35, respectively. The portions 26b desirably have outwardly concave beaded edges 2lb and merge smoothly into the outline of the web portion IIb. The portions 35 are desirably tapered to increasing thickness as they approach the portions 25", as shown most clearly in Figure 17, and have an outline such as shown in Figure 16 supplementing the adjacent portions of the plate so as to provide a construction which may be readily cast without forming any sharp interior angles, to avoid points of weakness.

In the present embodiment, pockets 28b are desirably provided concentric with the spring positioning bosses 38", rather than the apertures of the preceding embodiments, the webs dening the floors of said pocketsibeing thinner and elevated or inset as compared with the main web IIb. For the same purpose, downwardly opening substantially annular pockets 29b are desirably provided,A

said pockets corresponding with the insetting of the coil-supporting surfaces as compared with the band-supporting surfaces. The edges of the web Hb are desirably vertically curved, as indicated at 30h, to correspond with the curvature adjacent the flanges .of the associated spring plank 8b. The plate I5b is desirably slightly notched and bevelled, as indicated at 36, to fit the customary spring plank embossment (not shown).

From the foregoing disclosure, it will be seen that I have devised spring positioning means, here shown as a spring plate, represented by several embodiments, which serves to more positively retain an elliptic or plate spring and its associated band in normal position. Although I have shown my plate associated with both coil and elliptic springs, and both above and below said springs, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to this showing, as modifications rnay ocbur to those skilled in the art. As indicated in the embodiments, the coil springs, if used, may be centered by outer or inner flanges, and the band engagement at one side may be omitted and replaced by direct spring plate engagement in order to retain the associated elliptic or plate spring in place.

Although preferred embodiments of my invention have been illustrated, it will be understood that additional modifications may occur to those skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

1. A spring assembly comprising upper and lower plates, helical springs and leaf springs disposed between said plates and arranged to operate in parallel under an applied load, said leaf springs being held together by band means, the load surfaces of said springs contacting withthe inner surfaces of said plates, means on said plates for centering said helical springs, and means for engaging the band means of said leaf springs, said means completely surrounding said band means with the end portions of greater height than the sides.

2. A spring assembly comprising upper and lower plates, helical springs and leaf springs disposed between said plates, said leaf springs being held together by band means, the load surfaces of said springs contacting with the inner surfaces of said plates, means on said plates for centering said helical springs, and means engaging the band means and said leaf springs, said means corresponding in height at the sides with the thickness of said band means and being increased in height at the ends beyond said leaf springs, in order to more positively retain said banded leaf springs in normal position.

3. A spring assembly comprising a plate, spring leaves acting on said plate, said spring leaves being held together by band means to form a spring, the load surface of said spring contacting with the adjacent surface of said plate, and means engaging the load surfaces of said band means of said spring leaves, said means completelysurrounding said band means and comprising straight ribs extending across said leaves and with end portions joined by ribs extending alongside said leaves, said latter ribs having end portions generally angular in plan, and of approximately double the height of the straight ribs.

4. A spring assembly comprising a plate, spring leaves acting on said plate, said spring leaves being held together by band means to form a spring, the load surface of said spring contacting with the adjacent surface of said plate, and means engaging the load surfaces of the band means of said spring leaves, said means comprising straight portions extending across said leaves and corresponding in height with the thickness of said band means and joined by ribs extending alongside said leaves, formed generally angular in plan, and increased in height an amount corresponding approximately with the thickness of a spring leaf, in order to more positively retain said band means in normal position.

5. A spring plate, for a truck spring unit comprising helical and banded leaf springs, consisting of a web having a plurality'of formations projecting from one side thereof, certain of said formations presenting horizontally curved surfacesfor positioning engagement with the helical springs, and other formations presenting horizontally straight surfaces for engaging the band of said leaf springs, said formations completely surrounding said band with the end portions of greater height than the sides.

6. A spring plate for a truck spring unit comprising helical springs and leaf springs, said leaf springs being held together by band means, said plate having a plurality of formations projecting from one side thereof, certain of said formations serving to center the helical springs and others engaging' the band means of saidleaf springs, corresponding in height at the sides with the thickness of said band means, and being increased in height at the ends beyond said leaf springs in order to more positively retain said band means in normal position.

7. A spring plate for a truck spring unit comprising spring leaves held together by band means, said plate having a side adapted to engage the load surface of said band means and a formation projecting from the same side thereof and adapted to engage the sides and one end of said band means, the other end of said formation being formed angular in plan and extended, to engage a side of the adjacent spring leaf, and increased in height an amount approximating the thickness of said leaf.

8. A spring plate for a truck spring unit comprising spring leaves held together by band means, said plate having a web presenting an upwardlyconcave surface and engaging said band, means, and a formation projecting from one side thereof and engaging the sides of said band means, the ends of said formations being increased in height at either side of said spring leaves to more positively retain them in proper position.

9. A spring plate fora truck spring unit consisting of a web having a plurality of formations projecting from one side thereof, said formations including straight portions adapted to engage the sides of a band of an elliptic spring, the adjacent inner ends of said straight portions being joined by a. V-shaped Wall serving to separate helical springs.

10. A spring plate for a truck spring unit comprising spring leaves held together by band means, said plate having a formation projecting from one side thereof, said formation including relatively' low generally straight ribs adapted to engage the sides of said band means, and lug portions, angular in plan, spaced from one another, projecting from ends of said ribs, and extended therebeyond to engage a side of the adjacent leaf of said spring unit and corner portions only of said band means. g

11. A spring plate for a truck spring unit comprising spring leaves held together by band means, said plate having a web formed to supportingly engage the load surface of said band means and a substantially continuous flange projecting from one side thereof, with relatively low generally straight sides engaging the sides of said band means, and corner portions generally angular in plan and increased in height at either side of said spring leaves to more positively retain them in proper position.

12. A spring plate for a truck spring unit comprising spring leaves held together by band means, said plate having a formation. projecting from one side thereof, said formation including relatively low generally straight ribs adapted to engage the sides of said band means, and a higher corner portion, angular in plan, at an end of each of said ribs, spaced from one another, and` extended to engage a side of the adjacent leaf of said spring unit.

13. A spring assembly comprising upper and lower spring positioning means, helical springs and assembled leaf springs disposed between said means and arranged to operate in parallel under an applied load, the leaf spring assembly ccmprising band means holding the leaf springs together, the load surfaces of s/aid springs' contacting with the inner surfaces of said positioning means, said means comprising portions for centering said helical springs and portions for engaging said leaf spring assembly, said latter portions surrounding said band means on at least three sides and having end portions of greater height than the sides', said end portions serving to position said leaf;I spring assembly by engagement with spring portions thereof at the remaining side of said band means.

14. A spring positioning device for a railway truck spring unitV comprising spring leaves held together by band means, said device comprising a supporting surface adapted to engage the load surface offsaid band means and having a formation projecting from the side having said supporting'surface and including lrelatively low generally straight ribs adapted to engage sides of said band meanaand angular lug portions projecting from ends of said ribs and extended further from the supporting surface to engage at least one side of the adjacent leaf of said spring unit.

15. A spring positioning device for a railway truck spring unit comprising a spring supporting surface having a plurality of formations projecting therefrom, said formations including straight portions adapted to engage sides of a band of a 0 leaf spring, the adjacent ends of said straight portions being joined by a generally V-shaped rib serving to separate helical springs.

16. A spring positioning device for a railway truck spring unit comprising spring leaves held 15 together by band means, said plate having a formation projecting from the spring engaging side thereof, said formation including relatively low generally straight ribs adapted to engage sides of said band means, and lug portions pro- 20 jecting from ends of said ribs and extended further from the spring supporting surface, said surface between said ribs being at leastpartially concave.

1'?.v A spring positioning device for a railway truck spring unit comprising helical spring means and banded leaf springs. said device having a plurality of formations projecting from the spring engaging side thereof, certain of said formations serving to center the helical spring `means and others engaging the band means of said leaf springs, corresponding in height at the sides with the thickness of said band means and being increased in height .at the ends beyond said leaf springs, the surface of said device engaging said helical spring means being elevated or offset toward said unit as compared with the surface engaging said leaf spring means.

18. A spring cap and roller seat including a body portion one side of which is provided with spaced roller tracks the opposite side of which is provided with a spring band seat defined by spring band positioning means, said band seat r including projections adapted'to embrace each side of a spring band, and coil spring seats disposed adjacent said spring band seat.

' DONALD L. TOWNSEND. 

